A Guide to Medical Treatment and Travel Insurance During Japan's Flu Peak
Japan's health authorities announced that the number of influenza cases recorded in the last week of December last year reached a 25-year high. During such a high-risk period, understanding Japan's healthcare system and related insurance claims information is crucial for travelers to cope with emergencies. This article will provide travelers with a comprehensive medical protection guide, covering health risks during the flu peak season, the importance of travel insurance, and the procedures for seeking medical treatment and hospitalization in Japan
Risks and preparations for traveling to Japan during flu season
During flu season, the risk of infection increases, especially for young or elderly travelers. Travelers are advised to take the following precautions:
Get vaccinated in advance: Get a flu vaccine before departure to reduce the risk of infection.
Carry personal protective equipmentsuch as masks, disinfectant wipes, and alcohol spray.
Understand medical resources: Be familiar with local medical institutions in Japan and their emergency contact information.
Purchase travel insurance: Understand overseas medical costs: Coverage includes outpatient, emergency, inpatient, and ambulance services, as well as other areas.
If you develop symptoms such as fever or cough during your trip, you should seek medical attention promptly to prevent your condition from worsening or spreading
The Importance of Travel Insurance
While traveling in Japan, foreign tourists are not covered by local health insurance and must pay for all medical expenses in full, which can be a significant expense. Especially for hospital transfers, a single night's stay can cost over HK$10,000. Most medical institutions only accept cash, with a few accepting credit cards.
Purchasing travel insurance is crucial, and it typically includes the following coverage:
Overseas medical expenses: cover outpatient, emergency, inpatient and ambulance services.
Follow-up treatment coverage: Part of the insurance covers the cost of subsequent treatment after returning to your home country.
Hospitalization cash allowance: A cash subsidy is provided based on the number of days of hospitalization.
Claim Application Instructions
If you need to apply for compensation, please be sure to retain the following documents:
1. Medical certificate (it is recommended to apply for an English version to avoid translation difficulties)
2. Medical expense receipts
3. Dispensing instructions for prescription drugs
Medical Treatment and Hospitalization Procedures in Japan
1. Find a medical institution
Finding suitable medical facilities for foreign travelers in Japan is not difficult; you can refer to the following methods:
Official resources：
Japan Government Tourism Office Medical Institution Search Website
Guide to Medical Institutions by the Japan Tourism Agency
Multilingual support:
Contact the Japan Tourism Hotline (24-hour service, phone: 050-3816-2787) for emergency assistance and medical recommendations
Emergency Situation:
Call Japan's emergency medical services number "119", inform them of the patient's condition, and prepare your passport and credit card
Contact information for embassies of various countries: Ministry of Foreign Affairs link: 'Foreign Missions in Japan'
2. Medical Treatment Process
Registration and data entry:
Submit your passport and insurance card (if applicable), and complete the medical record inquiry form
Communicate your condition with your doctor:
You can use simple Japanese to describe the symptoms, for example:
Headache: Headache (Atama ga itai)
Fever: 热が出る(Netsu ga deru)
For more medical terminology translations, please refer to the Japan Tourism Agency's Guide to Medical Institutions.
Diagnosis and Prescription:
The doctor will prescribe a diagnosis or medication based on the patient's condition and ask if the patient has any allergies to the medication
3. Checkout and Medication Collection
Payment method:
Most medical facilities accept cash only, while some accept credit cards
Medication collection process:
Take the prescription to a nearby pharmacy to pick up the medication; the cost of the medication will be charged separately
4. Sharing Hospitalization Experiences: Real-world Cases
The child suffered a fracture after an accidental fall while traveling in Japan. An emergency room examination confirmed the fracture, and the child received the following treatment:
Fracture repair surgery: implantation of steel nails to fix the bone.
Anesthesia: Surgery was performed under general anesthesia.
Postoperative hospitalization observation: 3 days of hospitalization, during which three meals a day will be provided.
Detailed breakdown of expenses(converted to Hong Kong dollars)
| Project | Japanese Yen (JPY) | Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) | describe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admission fee | 203,670 | 10,594 | This includes basic hospital admission costs such as emergency room registration and ward arrangements |
| surgery fees | 324,960 | 17,223 | The cost of fracture repair surgery includes procedures such as nail insertion |
| Anesthesia fee | 130,040 | 6,902 | Cost of general anesthesia |
| Single room difference | 36,000 | 1,908 | The difference between the ward and a regular ward (12,000 yen per night) |
| Tax (10%) | 70,751 | 3,750 | 10% consumption tax |
| Total | 778,261 | 41,057 |
Additional expenses
| Project | Japanese Yen (JPY) | Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) | describe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Companion meal expenses | 2,640 | 140 | Meal expenses for accompanying family members during their stay in the hospital |
| *Cost of English version of medical report documents | 4,400 | 233 | The additional application fee is 2,200 yen per application |
| Airworthiness Certificate | 2,200 | 117 | The cost of the airworthiness certificate for boarding the plane back to the home country |
* Travelers are advised to inquire with the hospital whether they will provide an English version of the medical report, and whether a separate application and fee are required. An English version of the medical report is a necessary document for travel insurance reimbursement
Precautions and suggestions
Purchase travel insurance: Medical expenses in Japan are high, and insurance can effectively reduce the financial burden
Keep your medical records, including diagnosis reports, receipts, prescriptions, etc., so that you can apply for reimbursement after returning to your home country
Choose a hospital that accepts credit cards: This reduces the inconvenience of carrying large amounts of cash
Use language assistance tools: Search in advance for medical institutions that offer multilingual services
Japan has an advanced and comprehensive medical system, but it is relatively expensive. Travelers should be well-prepared when traveling during flu season, including understanding local medical resources and purchasing travel insurance to ensure a safe and worry-free trip
Source: Japan Tourism Agency, Navitime Japan